The chapter was pleased to welcome July keynote speaker Larry Osborn, president of Pacific Associates Inc. Osborn spoke about unmanned systems (UAS), a disruptive technology. Every unmanned system has three components: platform and compatibility, communications link(s) and control segment. He covered many of the key technologies involved, such as sensors and payloads, digital wireless communications and navigational aids and gave examples of autonomy as it relates to control, safety, costs and culture. Significant market growth is projected for UAS, as commercial applications are emerging in other areas, such as the film industry. Lastly, he discussed the future of unmanned systems and potential impact on industries including agriculture, law enforcement, package transportation services, trains and airlines. For those in information technology, opportunities abound. July’s Young AFCEAN of the Month is Lt. Amanda Deno, USN; Executive of the Month is Larry Tannenbaum, Lockheed Martin; ... READ MORE

In July, the Department of Defense chief information officer (CIO) hosted a Mobility Industry Day at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The chapter’s Mobile Working Group (MWG) was tapped to help produce this noteworthy one-day event. The purpose of this unclassified conference was to facilitate conversation between industry mobility partners and Defense Department representatives. Security is imperative to the department as it moves toward greater use of mobile computing, but leaders there are taking a realistic and practical approach. “You’re going to see a lot of headlines that say ‘secure mobility.’ Blank that out. I want you to insert the words ‘secure enough mobility,’” Defense Department CIO Terry Halvorsen told a sold-out crowd. “What is secure enough?” The answer to this question, Halvorsen said, is something that the department and industry will have to determine. Speakers included Halvorsen; Lt. Gen. Mark Bowman, director, comman ... READ MORE

The chapter sponsored a luncheon in June at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. The event featured Lt. Gen. Mark Bowman, USA, director, command, control, communications and computers/cyber, J-6, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Bowman outlined several growing pains for the Defense Department’s network modernization effort. He declared himself unhappy with progress on command and control of Department of Defense Information Networks (DoDIN) and with the Joint Regional Security Stacks (JRSS), a major cybersecurity initiative. Gen. Bowman also provided an update on Defense Department efforts to bring more command and control (C2) over networks. “We’re seeing people push back,” Gen. Bowman said. The general said he was also worried that the Defense Information Systems Agency might have too much on its plate right now.

The chapter raised $15,000 through Cycle for STEM to go toward scholarships and grants. On Father’s Day, participants rode the historic route along the Potomac River from LBJ Memorial Grove next to the Pentagon to Mount Vernon and back—a 30-mile trip. The funds raised enable the chapter’s Education Foundation to provide scholarships to deserving students majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and to award grants to superior high school teachers. Each year, to promote higher education in the STEM fields of computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry and management information systems, the chapter sponsors STEM scholarships for graduating high school seniors. Since May 1989, the chapter has awarded 360 scholarships, totaling more than $2.3 million, to students from 112 area high schools going to 71 U.S. colleges.